The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-06

| jestically over the glowing water. stood
| still moment TO admire, and to thinl,
with pleasure OF the surprise | was about
| TO give Elsa, for ! was not expected till the
next day. As looked my mood changed.
A feeling OF fear-almost OF horror-took
hold of me. So beautiful scene should
be productive only OF peace, and | had
heard no sound; yeti affirm i'll could
have cried alohd in my namcleSs terror.
felt as il under a powerful control outside
of myself | was helpless in its invisi.
| BILE grasp.
moved with rapid steps to the border
of the lake. | knew not but what | might
be compelled to enter the water-l had no
power to resist was being driven on.
ward. At the brink Of the lake | was al
lowed to stop, and, looking down into the
clear water, | saw-mcrciiul hcaNenl
can scarcely now bear to think of the
dead face of child the dead face OF lit
| tie Carl
should have fallen face downward into
the lake in my terror and grief, had | moi
been compelled TO turn from the CHASTITY
| sight by the same mysterious influence
that had compelled my steps thither. As
| turned my eyes fell upon Elsa. She was
standing at little distance, looking a, me
mouniully. | tried to run 10 her Ia take
her away whittier, | hardly knew, but
she must not should not see what | had
seen. But | could not move step The
air seemed full OF the soft hum of insects,
and Twas descending slowly from height,
struggled not to lose my senses, and then
gave in.
The next thing | knew was that IN old
/ lao hi,,,, hnu1 nt,.1 chat Ar
Cunningham was standing over me with n
wineglass in his hand. | was in low
ceilinged drawing-room, hung with faded
amber silk.
"Elsa" gasped 'shc must not leave
the house go to her do not let her ~
near the-lakc." ! tremblcd so that my
words came in jerks and were scarcely dis.
tinguishablc.
"Drink some wine," said Mr.. Coming
ham, and then he made remark to the
old servant about the wickedncSs of break.
ing bad news to people abruptly.
The wine revived me, and ] sat upon
the couch.
"Mr. Cunningham" cried, "as you love
Elsa go and find her; keep her from going
10 the lake"
"Calm yourself, Miss Thompson he
answered sadly. 81 look to YOU to break
this To her. Good God, can't
Then, you know" | broke out. ooh,
send ut once and have him brought in.
How can YOU leave him in the cold water
If YOU know? Oh, my little Carl
oh, poor Elsa"
For answer he raised me from the couch
and quietly led me from the room, mp thu
ancient staircase, then along gallery.
Presently We stopped ut u door. "lou had
best look at him." lac said, Chen YOU will
see how calmly he sleeps
lie opened the door and Ted me into q
small bedroom, all white aud blue We
stood together beside the snowy little bed
With q hand that visibly trcmbled h,
raised the white coycrlct that hid some
thing The action revealed the dead, bu
still beautiful child. There lac lay, cau
and still. his natural curls falling upon tn,
pillow.
elisa knows nothing yet" said III,
| father. in tone OF despair despair which
had an awful calm about IL. 'Nill you g
| 10 her now?'
asScntcd in bcvildcrcd way. Had
| been unconscious u whole night and day
thought, for the sky hal the rosy ilusl
which the setting sun leaves behind, an,
il was not possible TO imagine that thu
little form ! had just seen had been r.
Gently in the water.
81 am dazed, Mr.. Cunningham" I fI
tered, rs he led me through uno CALLER
after another toward the west wing. "Tc
me. when did | see little Carl in III
lake, and where did Elsa go when
laintcd2'
lie stood still for moment, rcgariin
me sadly.
You could not have seen Carl there,
he answered, with trcmor ia his voice
"llc was found and brought IN NJ J
o'clock this morning, when YOU were siil
in London. lou must have Imagined yv
saw him, after the shock oi bcisg told 9
the accident.
~ saw no one 10 tell me" ] PROTESTED
for ] wis absolutely certain about VIVA
had happened; II was the time that pD
zlcd me. ! saw noone else tlll alter, whe
turned round; then Jaw Elsa lo0kln
at me. ibid this really happen tonight
~ servant approached ~. mink Mrr
Cunningham IL about to wake she salu
we vent ~ once 70 her room; M We W.T.
entering, Mr.. Cunningham told nie that Nh
had been IN one OF her strange slecl'-' an
this time II had lasted through The nigh
aud day As THIS was told Ia me ! knr'
that my vision OF the child aud hiS moihc
was what people cal supernatural. Conl'
not help recalling little Carts words q
Icrnatt Mamma aud ! shall die Ia
gcihcr.'
Elsa was lying upon her white pillow
when We entered, her dusey hhir swccl
ing them like shadow. Her eyes wer
open, her mouth smiling. rho cXtcndc
her hand to each OF ~. Mover had see
her with That radiantly happy expression {,
II she only knew oi That VIM" rohrd llul
figure ! had Just seen, what agony ~
would suiier' But then remembered sl'
was not ~ other women u might bc ihi
. ] la. tnsM A funtupuI morn md IuU